Indigenous representatives today called upon States to implement the provisions of international instruments and their national legislation guaranteeing their rights, and sought assistance from the Permanent Forum as that body concluded debate on several topics.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination, autonomy and self-governance must be woven into the post-2015 development agenda to ensure inclusive political participation and a sharpened focus on outstanding land disputes and other pressing concerns, delegates heard as the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues discussed emerging issues and continued its segment on rights.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
As a thematic advisory body of the Human Rights Council, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must include the full, effective, and equal participation of all concerned communities, speakers stressed today, as the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held a discussion on an optional protocol to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous peoples lived in situations of extreme social and economic disadvantage, speakers in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said today, pressing Governments to improve their access to basic services, respect their traditional livelihoods, and both return — and protect — the sacred lands on which their survival depended.
Indigenous peoples represented 15 per cent of the world’s poor and faced huge disparities in terms of hunger, malnutrition and access to health care, even in developed countries, speakers in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said today, stressing that their distinct identities and rights should be recognized in the post-2015 development agenda.
Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the panel discussion “highlighting a counter-narrative: promoting tolerance for diversity, freedom of speech and human rights”, in New York today:
Now 15 years old, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was in “real need” of reform to better respond to the socioeconomic, cultural and human rights concerns of its constituents — both within their respective territories and throughout the United Nations system, speakers stressed today as the 16-member body moved into day three of its fourteenth session.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s remarks to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in New York today:
